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Conventional Wisdom: Gatherings Still Have Value

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By JOE O'NEILL | South Shore News

Published: September 3, 2008

For the last fortnight, the political conventions have been providing their usual fare: lots of stagecraft, non-stop schmooze-control, celebrity scrutiny, "defining-moment" speeches and over-analysis fodder for pundits and partisans. The ambience is equal parts pep rally, infomercial and Rotarian reunion.

Time was when these conventions actually chose a presidential candidate. Back when smoke-filled back rooms were no mere metaphors. Now these gatherings rubber-stamp and coronate candidates.

Which explains, in part, why some of Hillary's Harridans won't concede. The other part is that for those women who have outsourced their identities to Hillary Clinton, this election is no longer about the party and the country – it's about them. But enough, at least in this space, on that.

But just because the nominees have been pre-selected, platform planks pre-set and goofy hats prepared, doesn't mean these conventions are nothing more than atavistic exercises in pomp and partisanship.

I remember chatting with Al Austin, the finance chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and Tampa's "Mr. GOP," at the 2000 Republican Convention in Philadelphia. Austin still found enough value in the quadrennial gatherings to attend them. He cited two main reasons.

"One of the biggest problems we have in this country is voter apathy," said Austin. "An event like this is an opportunity to get people focused on the fact that there's a presidential election coming up. It's a way for voters to get aware and interested – and introduced to candidates."

The other benefit, noted Austin, was what you'd expect from any convention – from hardware to pharmaceuticals. These are forums to reward, to share strategies and to energize the troops, those who labor in the trenches in their home counties, to go forth and, well, sell.

"It fires these folks up and generates a lot of enthusiasm for carrying the message," underscored Austin. "If you're a delegate, this is an honor. They feel like they're part of something big."

Convention Bonus

Lost amid the Clinton melodramatics and the historic nomination of an African-American candidate for president, is a move to improve the primary system in 2012.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama named a committee to consider revising the party's rules for the next primary. Here's hoping that rotating, regional primaries finally result.

Biden Reflects

A recent C-SPAN interview with Sen. Joe Biden, Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate, yielded some candid – and ironic – comments about Biden's 1988 run for president.

Biden, 45 at the time, said, upon reflection, that he was "naïve" then. He also called himself "arrogant." He said he asked himself: "Can I beat the other guys?" Instead, he now acknowledges, he should have asked: "Am I ready?"

He wasn't, he now concedes.

He was also queried about political figures he admires. He cited three: Abraham
Lincoln ("reached out to the opposition"); Franklin D. Roosevelt ("pragmatism and optimism"); and Robert Kennedy ("passion").

Super Volunteers

Dottie Berger MacKinnon, chairwoman of volunteer services for the 2009 Tampa Bay Super Bowl Host Committee, reports that the needed number of volunteers – 6,000 – was reached even before football season began. According to Berger, a waiting list of 1,000 will probably result.

Media Bias

Of course this is a state and an area that loves its football.

But, come on, when the Rays are the best NATIONAL sports story in years – and the Bucs are merely practicing and playing exhibition games and waiting on Joey Galloway's pulled groin – it shouldn't be an issue over who gets coverage priority. But to both print and electronic media outlets, the Rays improbably remain subordinate to the Bucs.

Medal Count Context

In the aftermath of the Beijing Olympics, much was made of China's powerhouse sports status. In the medal count, China topped the field with 51 gold (to the runner-up USA's 36) and 100 overall (second only to the USA's 110).

Russia was a distant third with 72 medals.

But the medal haul of Russia plus surrounding countries that used to comprise the old Soviet Union – including Ukraine (27) Belarus (19) and Kazakhstan (13), among others – would have given the old USSR 161 medals.

Olympic Protest

Every time I see the "black power" photo of 200-meter sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the victory stand at the Mexico City Olympics, two things come readily to mind.

First, I recall hearing the unprecedented whistling and jeering that rained down on the flag-raising part of the ceremony.

Second, what the impact must have been on Peter Norman of Australia. Norman beat Carlos for the silver medal, but had to endure a ceremonial travesty in what should have been his finest hour.

USF/Gator Props

Off of last year's break-out season, USF won't be sneaking up on anybody in 2008. And that includes the nationally ranked Kansas Jayhawks, who visit the Bulls for a national TV game Sept. 12.

For what it's worth, ESPN loves USF's chances to win its first Big East title this year. So say Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso and Lou Holtz.

Herbstreit also predicts a Florida-USC BCS championship game, with the Gators topping the Trojans for their second national championship in three years.

Joe O'Neill is a South Tampa writer who can be contacted at moesez@aol.com or at www.opinionstogoonline.com.

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